New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin (left) greets wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) before the game against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. / Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports

by Steve Edelson, USA TODAY Sports

by Steve Edelson, USA TODAY Sports

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. â?? Victor Cruz knows about things like loss and love and professionalism.

It was a year ago Monday that the rest of the world went silent as Cruz celebrated an 80-yard touchdown catch, his focus solely on Lucy Molina, the grandmother who taught him to salsa and played an pivotal role in his life. She had died six days earlier.

So when New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin stood before his team early Wednesday morning, his words struck an emotional chord with Cruz.

Coughlin's younger brother, John, died suddenly Monday when he tripped while getting out of a cab and hit his head. The resident of Hackensack, N.J. was 63.

In talking to his players, who will fight to save their season this Sunday in Carolina, Coughlin touched on his feelings about his brother and his team, in move that was both cathartic and motivational.

"It was more candid than emotional,'' Cruz said, "just putting his feelings out there and telling us exactly how he feels about us, and about himself and about things that happen in life, in general, and how to approach our day to day.''

Coughlin will remain with the team through Sunday's game, with the funeral scheduled for Tuesday in the family's hometown of Waterloo, N.Y.

"Our family is thankful for the expressions of sympathy and prayers for our brother John's passing," Coughlin said in a statement. "We all appreciate them. John was a friend to all. He loved life, and he will be greatly missed. He left us way too soon."

While Cruz declined to provide specifics of Coughlin's address to the team, what's clear is that Coughlin's bond with his brother was strong, and that his immediate family and his football family will help him navigate these difficult times.

"It was tough. You could tell he showed a lot of passion talking to us,'' Cruz said. "I feel like this team is an extended family to him. He felt like he could talk to us as candidly as he wanted to and I think we're going to respond.

"It was a time where we needed to hear that, and it was a situation where we didn't know that coach was going through some things, so it was definitely and emotional one for me at least just hearing him talk and I'm personally going to respond. I think the team will as well.''

Playing with a heavy heart a year ago, Cruz caught 11 passes for 179 yards to spark a come-from-behind victory over Tampa Bay at MetLife Stadium.

Coughlin, a stringent taskmaster, doesn't address his team like this often. So when he does, it means something.

In his final address to his players before Super Bowl XLVI two seasons ago, Coughlin told his players he loved them. The Giants responded by beating the New England Patriots.

On Wednesday, Coughlin once again laid bare his feelings to his players in a complex mix of emotions.

Added Cruz: "He spoke from the heart and he said some things to us that kind of triggered some thoughts and triggered some feelings in the way he felt about us , and I kind of grew some more admiration for my coach, more than I already had.''

Steve Edelson is a columnist for the Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, a Gannett property.